Two for One Holiday Special ..

With Thanksgiving upon us in under a week and Christmas only four weeks after that, it is probably a safe assumption that most of us have the tree trimmed and some gifts under it. I have currently witnessed so many individuals getting mad or upset over the fact that before one holiday is completely over, the next one is being celebrated.  However, I have to disagree.  For me, the time that falls between November 1st and December 25th is truly a special time in the lives of many.  With the beginning of a new season, we suddenly all have something in common, again: the joining of family and friends.

Can't we all be filled with the Christmas Spirit and be thankful at the same time?  Is two not better one?  Forgive me if I offend anyone, but I do believe that is the best part of the seasons.  We can mix them (somewhat) and keep them around LONGER.  For example, I like having my turkey dinner with a 'side of' Christmas tree in the background! :) It can make for a homey feel..
For most, the presence of spending time with family is the best time (I did say most) and we get two Holidays to do that, instead of one.  Of course, I will also say, I am very fortunate to have the family that I have.  The Mom and Dad that dropped everything and drove 9+ hours when I told them that 'I may be diabetic', and my two sisters whose sense of humor, mimics my own.  I like to call sisters 'instant friends' .. because well, they are.

That being said, I guess we all have our Start and Expiration dates that linger in our head.  After all, our whole life IS about time.  I was in Big Lots two days before Halloween picking up some Necessities.  I passed the Halloween aisle and saw the costumes, the candy, foam tombstones, and fake bloody arms and legs.  I guess about 20 steps forward, BOOM! A winter wonderland was laid out before me!  I had to bust out laughing... 

Do you know your ABC's of Diabetes?

Do you know the three important factors to stay on top to be a 'healthy Diabetic?'  Quite

literally, the ABC's of diabetes are in fact: A, B, and C words.

A1C: Known formally as Hemoglobin A1C - this is the amount of oxygen and 'red pigment' that is in the blood for the last 2-3 months.  The red blood cells have an average three month life span, but every 20 seconds or so, 2.4 million red blood cells are renewed and replaced!!  The average A1C for a non-diabetic is 5.5% ....a Diabetic's average A1C should be under 7%.  Keeping a log (digital or written) will help you get a better feel for your numbers, and where you need to make change.

Blood Pressure: This number is written systolic/diastolic (For example: 110/70). The Diastolic (relaxed) is the pressure that is exerted on the walls of the various arteries around the body in between heart beats when the heart is relaxed. The Systolic (contracted) is the normal rhythmical dilatation of the heart during which the chambers are filling with blood.  Keeping your blood pressure below 130/80, will reduce Hypertension and further complications from diabetes.. of course, this goes for those without diabetes, as well.  

Also interesting.... "Diastolic" comes from the Greek diastole meaning "a drawing apart."

"Systolic" comes from the Greek systole meaning "a drawing together or a contraction."

Cholesterol: Your cholesterol numbers tell the amount of fat in your blood. HDL cholesterol helps protect the heart, and you should aim for above 40. LDL cholesterol can clog arteries and lead to heart disease, and you should aim for below 100.  For a total, you want to be at 200 or less.  (Again, this goes for non-diabetic as well, not just us!) 
What about Triglycerides?  (I'm not even sure I could pronounce that one!)  Those are another kind of blood fat that can affect your risk of heart attack and stroke.  Those need to be under 150. Reducing unhealthy fats, like butter, whole milk, and making sure processed foods are 'trans fat free' is the best way. Also, taking an Omega 3 supplement daily, or eating fish 2-3 times per week should put you there..

So, now I've 'learned my ABC's ... won't you come and sing with me?' :-) 

World Diabetes Day ... Nov 14 2013

Today is special .... it is Thursday, November 14, 2013, marking World Diabetes Day, a day designed to raise awareness of diabetes around the world.   There are nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes (and almost one-third of them are not aware they have diabetes).

Today, we applaud the hard work of the communities that shows support for Diabetes Awareness and  It's a global effort to influence effective management of this disease!!!!

For more information on World Diabetes Day, please visit the International Diabetes Federation website .

Diabetics... are we more educated?

When I was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, I will admit, I got obsessed on

researching and trying to find out every piece of important information I could possibly find.  It was to the extreme side where I Googled everything, read every article, printed my notes and placed them ON the fridge, and I even contacted a former boyfriend who is diabetic for his 'footnotes' on life!  
Now that I have a 'basic education' built up, I must admit that you never stop learning about your diabetes and the different ways to make it easier.  I honestly enjoy it.. and I just thought the other day, are 'Diabetics naturally smarter on how the body works or functions BECAUSE we have diabetes?'
I had to ponder it .... 

Currently I am going under a drastic 'career switch' and taking Anatomy.  (I say drastic because it is.  I am switching from the Graphic Design field to the Medical field.)  I am currently on Chapter 9 in my huge telephone-directory-sized-book, and it is titled the 'Endocrine System.'  We all know what that is, correct??  (Right.... it's the system we have trouble with and I have considered 'lazy' when speaking about it....) Each section in the book has a 'Section Review' with questions at the end of each chapter.  I was instantly curious what they would ask.  Eager to test my knowledge, I flipped back there.  As I read them to myself, I thought 'hmmm well I know #1.  Ok, I know the answer to #2.... I know #3, #4, and #5!'  Before I knew it, the section review was ending...I was finished!  I went directly to the answer key, and there it was 17 out of 20 answered correctly.  Shocking ... but not really, right?

Could it be we all secretly have education on this subject built up to the point we could educate others when needed?  It should come as no surprise, as we would only get smarter on the subject we live with everyday, definitely not dumber.  My ER doctor, when I came into the hospital, I will not forget, he said 'from now on, your education on diabetes is what will keep you alive and well.  Then you must inform others..'

Powerful and true words, that I now agree with and truly comprehend.

Diabetes card - use it to your advantage?

I do not know about you, but I am the type of person that hates attention from other people if it is not from a person that knows me personally (because to me, those are the people WHO care).  I also hate pity and for someone to have that 'oh poor you' look on there face if they are talking to me.  Do they actually think I am NOT capable of something??  The only pity I like in particular, is my Mom or Dad treating me special when I am ill and feeling vulnerable wrapped 'burrito style' in my blanket. 

I can be quite extreme, to the point where I hide birthday or any other special event in my life from other.  I will simply keep it to myself, going about my days business- particularly from those who do not know me as well as others.  Sometimes I do believe it is because I am shy, but then I think about it - and... I am not that shy at all?  I make eye contact, I say hi to others, and I give compliments and make small talk (ok, it is VERY small talk) but you get the point... 

On a particular Friday afternoon about two weeks ago, I pulled the diabetes card and I have to admit, I did not feel bad at ALL.  There are few who know I have diabetes at work, I mean maybe 4 total (two of those people, are managers - and that is hard to hide when you miss work from your original diagnosis of being in the ICU for 3 days).
So it was Friday, it was after 12pm... and it was pretty outside - the sun shining and temperature a nice 81 degree.  I had dreams of walking outside with my iphone feeling the sun on my face, and getting my nails done after.  Oh yeah, and I needed to go to the post office............ BACK TO REALITY:  I was in a cube, with 4 gray walls, listening to a customer on the phone complain about there website menu not being in proportion to there site they pay $80 a month for.  I suddenly felt like I had to ESCAPE.  It is just about the equivalence of breaking out of jail, some times..  then I remembered, the managers know I am a new diabetic.  Could it be easier? 

A simple email to my boss, I told her I was not feeling so hot .. 'from diabetes' and should probably go.  I know it was wrong, using the Diabetes card when I really did not feel bad- but I could not resist.  We face so much as diabetics some times, I feel like we have right to use it to our advantage some days!  To take time for ourselves and just accomplishment the things we do not always get the time to do ... 

Her reply 5 minutes later: HAVE A NICE DAY!!